SAM SCAM ALERT

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Procurator Fiscal Depute Maureen McGovern explained: “The accused operated as part of a ‘three man operation’, if I can call it that.

“The house in question was occupied by a woman, a Mrs Wood, 73, and her elderly sister.

“In late October 2015 Mrs Wood answered the door to three males, one of whom was the accused.

“They informed her she had a problem with her guttering and, at this time, offered to fix the guttering free of charge.”

They then got in to her loft and claimed her roof trusses needed major work.

Miss McGovern, prosecuting, explained: “They told her there were major problems in the loft area and that the trusses required to be replaced.

“The cost was estimated to be £12,000.

“The witness believed that to be a credible estimation and agreed to the work commencing.”

Between October 26 and November 2, 2015, she withdrew £3,500 in cash, a further £3,500 in cash, and then £7,500 in cash from her bank.

A concerned bank clerk told her they believed she was the victim of a fraud and contacted the police, leading to an investigation.

Miss McGovern continued: “Police attended, spoke to her and went in to the loft area.

“A retired member of the Chartered Institute of Builders attended to look at what work, if any, was carried out in the loft area.

“Work had been carried out but it’s estimated it’s value was to be no more than £20.”

Defence solicitor Ross Anderson said McDonald, of Glasgow’s Carnwadric are, was experiencing money problems at the time and had fallen in with a bad crowd.

The lawyer added: “He deeply regrets engaging in activities which were illegal and caused significant distress to the elderly victim.

“He is trying to turn his life around.”

He asked for McDonald to be spared prison and placed on a Community Payback Order.

But after hearing that he has two previous convictions for similar frauds Sheriff John Herald slammed him for his actions and locked him up.

He raged: “You are one of these people I consider to be parasites in this society, preying on the elderly, conning them out of their money and standing up here telling me you’re not really that bad – you are.”

He caged McDonald for eight months, reduced from 12 as he admitted his guilt.

The sentence will begin in October, when the jail term he was already serving for another fraud comes to an end.

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